Photo-sensitive Epoxy

OSAKA, Japan, May 26 -- Nitto Denko Corp. has developed a photosensitive epoxy material that can be used for optical waveguides. The new material is highly transparent in the near-infrared range, and is flexible, so that optical circuits can be created by patterning using ultraviolet exposure -- replacing conventional dry-etching processes.

The company said the material can be used to create embedded optical waveguides. The light-transmitting part (core) pattern surface is flat with a rectangular cross-section. The wrapping around the core (clad) can also be embedded, allowing construction of a 100-micrometer film on the substrate.